Local student and advisor earn state recognition for work with SADD

ALACHUA – For more than three-and-a-half years, Santa Fe High School senior Kaitlyn Brandt has been telling her fellow students what to do — and what not to do. Her efforts have now earned her statewide recognition.

Florida SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) has just named Brandt the SADD Student of the Year for 2010-11. She will now serve as the state student spokesperson for the organization, which has more than 280 chapters around the state. 

“Being chosen Florida SADD Student of the Year is a great honor,” said Verl Todd, state coordinator for the organization. “Kaitlyn has been an exceptional spokesperson for SADD in Florida, working tirelessly to ensure that teens are fully aware of the issues of underage drinking, traffic safety and other destructive decisions.”

Brandt has been involved with SADD for four years, and this year serves as the Santa Fe group’s president. She’s also served on the Florida state SADD Student Advisory Board for the past two years, helping organize events and campaigns and visiting other schools and communities to encourage teens to avoid destructive behavior.

Kaitlyn says it’s important for teens to hear that message from their peers — without any sugar-coating.

“It’s more powerful when it’s coming from someone your own age,” she said. “A lot of what we talk about is not pretty, but we have to give a very realistic perspective for teens to really get it.”

Florida SADD has also announced that Brenda Joyner, who has been the SADD advisor at Santa Fe for more than 25 years, is this year’s SADD Advisor of the Year.

“She is very deserving of this honor,” said Todd. “Her enthusiasm and dedication toward SADD is truly extraordinary.”

“There are so many things out there that teens are facing these days,” said Joyner. “We try to tell them that one bad decision can have major consequences and you can’t turn back.”

Both Kaitlyn and Joyner will officially begin their terms as Florida’s Student and Advisor of the Year at SADD’s national conference in Orlando in late June. They are also eligible for National Student and Advisor of the Year honors, which will be announced in March.

"Most schools would be proud to have either a student or an advisor chosen for special recognition,” said Santa Fe High School principal Bill Herschleb.  “We’re elated that both state honorees this year come from our school."

Recognitions aside, Kaitlyn says she’s loved being a part of SADD.

“I hate to see bad things happen to kids my age, so I think SADD is a great thing to be involved in,” she said. “I really feel we’re making a difference.”